Hakim Ziyech could be the Mesut Ozil Arsenal thought they were signing

The January transfer window is almost upon us and Arsenal would be wise to sign a new attacking midfielder.

Unai Emery has made a decent start to life as Arsenal manager but hasn’t been able to rely on Mesut Ozil thus far. The German playmaker has been below par for a number of seasons now and has struggled for form as well as fitness this season. The former Real Madrid man is the club’s highest earner and simply isn’t justifying his wages.

Ozil was replaced at half-time against Brighton following a lacklustre showing, and reports suggest Arsenal would be willing to listen for offers. Despite Emery’s insistence that Ozil won’t be sold, the former PSG man would be wise to replace the former Germany international during the forthcoming transfer window.

One man who should be on his shortlist is Ajax maestro – Hakim Ziyech. Valued at £27m by Transfermarkt, the Moroccan attacking midfielder has been consistently one of the top performers in the Eredivisie for a number of years now. Ziyech was expected to complete a summer move to a bigger club after Roma looked to lure him to the Serie A, but the transfer collapsed, and he stayed put at the Amsterdam Arena.

Yet again, the 25-year-old has been in fine form in front of goal after ending last season with nine goals and 15 assists in the league. Ziyech has already found the back of the net 12 times in the current campaign as well as creating ten for his team-mates. His eye for goal and excellent vision would give Arsenal what they have lacked during Ozil’s poor run of form.

The Morocco international is only getting better and deserves a chance to impress in one of Europe’s top divisions. The Emirates would be the perfect home.